Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $60
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.40x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $13.63 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 440% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 340%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $60 | 440% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $60 | 440% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $60 | 440% |
| Bluestem Pace | $60 | 440% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $60 | 440% |
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $60 | 440% |
| Va Ccn | $60 | 440% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, KS, the commercial negotiated rate is $60.00, which matches the lowest and highest rates across all seven payers listed, including Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and the Kansas Department of Health And Environment. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government ownership, and while the specific cash price is not disclosed, patients should be aware that cash-pay options can sometimes be more affordable than insurance negotiated rates, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. Since the negotiated rate is fixed at $60.00 for all insurers, it is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as you may be responsible for the full amount if you have not yet met your out-of-pocket threshold.
To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, it is recommended to request an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. When reviewing your statement, compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark of $13.63; commercial rates often average 200% to 300% of this baseline, though fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150%. Additionally, since this is a Critical Access Hospital, you should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can range from 20% to 50% off the total if paid in full upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.